Chapter 7
I'm leaving tomorrow. Is it possible to have pre-vacation jitters? Well, I'm excited. I wrote this chapter because I'm an over-achiever. And because my brother's giving me a stare that says he's a purple hippopotamus that's trying to steal my chocolate chip cookies.
It's an inside joke. Don't worry. I'm not THAT crazy…
R&R?
Max
"Maximum, are you back?" Emperor Titus approaches me very carefully. The Palace was already under re-construction but the ruins were still plain to see. Titus looks tired and worn and Andrea looks as if she aged a decade.
"It's Max," I correct him out of habit, "And yes, I'm back for now. There are still things I have to take care of. I wanted to make sure you and your wife are okay."
"What were those things?" Titus asks, still clearly shaken, "One of them looked so much like you."
"They were demons possessing angels," I reply, "That is what we're hunting."
Andrea speaks up, "Thank you, both of you, for whatever you are doing for us. Lord knows we don't deserve it."
"It's my job," I lie, because I'm no guardian anymore.
"I have to leave now," I tell them, "But I'll be back. I'll make sure you are safe."
I turn from them, a sense of foreboding deep in my heart.
Angel
This is the way it should be, back when there was nobody else but the four of us.
Remember, Angel, you owe us.
I remember, I grimace. And then it starts. It feels like something is take root inside of me. It's very painful, and it feels as if a million tiny daggers were forced down my throat and spreading out inside me body. I bite my lip to keep from keening. My wings tremble and close and then I'm hurtling towards the ground.
I hear a scream and I realize it's my own. Something catches me right before and I land. In my glazed-over sight, I see a flash of blue wings. Gazzy, he saved me. My vision blurs even more severely.
Do you remember the deal? Jeb's harsh voice grates in my ears.
Yes…sir, I reply weakly.
What do you have to do?
Find Max…And kill her.
Max
"Max," Fang asks beside me, "What's on your mind?"
I realize how strange I must look to him right now. I haven't spoken since we left the Palace. But I had a lot to think about. Angel, the Flock, my look-alike, the Possessed Angels, Lucifer, and the Royals. Why would Angel do this? Why would the Flock abandon me? Who was my look-alike? What was allowing demons to possess angels, and why did they start now? Were the Royals going to be okay?
"You sound like Nudge," Fang deadpans and I realize I said that all out loud.
"Sorry," I say sheepishly.
He looks at me with eyes that bore straight through my soul. Finally, he says, "You need to relax, Max. Why not take a break for awhile?"
"Fang-," he cuts me off with his mouth. I melt into him. I haven't kissed him in awhile. We never got time together anymore. The world was moving too fast for an angel that was used to a slow, peaceful life. Before I met the Flock, before I was assigned to Titus, everything was slow. I guess I should miss that, but I really don't. How could I miss the life without Fang?
Focus, Max, as much as we all enjoy you having together time with your lover, you have someone to find. Find your look-alike as you so quaintly call her.
I groan and pull away.
"The Voice again?" he asks and I nod.
"We have to find my look-alike. That's where we'll start and then we can tackle the possessed angels later." I turn away from him and run my hands through my hair. Why couldn't I rest? I guess I wasn't meant to have breaks.
"So, you two looking for someone?" a new voice said.
It's short, it's sweet, it's simple, but I really don't have time for more. Bye! See you all in 41 days, I'll try to see if I can update sooner.
Viva la Revolution,
~Allace~
